BY KAREN BOSSICK

Drew Petersen’s day job is that of a professional skier. But he also advocates for the planet, burritos and—now—mental health.

Petersen, whose writing has appeared in “Outside,” “SKI Magazine,” “Backcountry Magazine” and others, will screen his new documentary “Feel It All” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, at The Argyros in Ketchum. Petersen will talk following the movie and field questions.

The film, over two years in the making, chronicles Petersen’s journey from suicidal depression to finding purpose and strength by setting the goal to run the Leadville Trail 100 ultramarathon, one of the most iconic ultramarathons on the planet.

Petersen plans to toe the line for this year’s Leadville Trail 100 at 4 a.m. Aug. 17.

Petersen has struggled with bipolar disorder and suicide ideation, once pondering leaping to his death, since he was a 9-year-old kid growing up in Summit County, Colo. He got good grades, had a healthy social and family life and lived a skier’s dream, traveling the world as a pro skier.

But off the slopes he felt the pressure to keep the party going, which led to problems with alcohol. He finally reached out for help after experiencing the trauma of nearly losing his family home to wildfire and surviving an accident on Mt. Hood during which a large boulder fell on his head.

“The communities I’ve been fortunate to connect with have shown me that we don’t just need these conversations around mental health but that the people WANT these conversations of mental health and suicide prevention elevated,” he said. “So far, 500 people have seen ‘Feel It All,’ and I’ve already received numerous messages that it has saved lives and given people the courage to ask for help for the first time or finally follow through.”

“Feel It All” was supported by UCHealth with additional support from Mountain Gazette, Best Day Brewing and a crowdfunding campaign. “I Give a F*** About Mental Health” hats, complete with a hot pink heart where the U would be, are available online at https://drew-petersen.com/feelitall.

Petersen screened another film called “Ups and Downs,” which focuses on navigating the mountain peaks and valleys of mental health, in Sun Valley in December 2023.

“Drew is passionate about breaking down the stigma around mental health in mountain communities, and the event he and I worked on at Sun Valley in December was a huge success in bringing the community together and providing a safe place for locals to find hope as well as get to know the resources in the community available to them,” said Bridget Higgins. 

Tickets are $15, available at the door or at https://ci.ovationtix.com/35937/performance/11500956?performanceId=11500956.